Footwear Vacuum Release Device

ABSTRACT

A vacuum release for footwear includes an air check valve coupled to a length of tubing, which extends downward into at least one hollow channel within the sole of the footwear. The hollow channel features at least one hole through the sole of the footwear into the channel. By allowing air at atmospheric pressure to travel through the air check valve, through the length of tubing, into the hollow channel and through at least one hole connecting the channel to the outside of the sole, the present invention breaks the vacuum created when a user lifts his foot from a viscous surface, allowing for easy travel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional application No. 62/042,627 “Footwear Vacuum Release Device,” filed Aug. 27, 2014 within the USPTO.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the technical field of footwear. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of accessories for footwear. Even more particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of accessories for footwear that release the vacuum caused by stepping in mud and other viscous surfaces.

In one form or another, humans have used footwear for thousands of years to protect their feet from rough terrain and exposure while traveling about in their daily routines. Cave drawings depict cavemen hunting with animal skins attached to their feet for protection from rough terrain. The frozen remains of prehistoric man have been found with straw stuffed within animal skins around their feet, presumable to insulate them from rough terrain and the cold. Needless to say, footwear has come a long way since these rudimentary designs.

Modern footwear encompasses an almost unlimited number of shapes, sizes and designs, each created to suit the particular requirements of any particular user. While the present invention is most useful for certain types of footwear, it is not the intent of this application to limit the present invention to one particular shape, style or design. Rather, those possessing skill and understanding in the field of the present invention will recognize it may be utilized across a wide range of footwear.

One problem inherently faced with travel over non-firm terrain is the tendency for footwear to “stick” within the terrain. For readability, this application is drafted using mud as one example of non-firm terrain. The inventor would like to point out there are many other types of non-firm terrain which may be used interchangeably—such as slushy snow, wet concrete or silt and the like. The combination of pressure exerted by a user's foot on the sole of their footwear and the relatively unsupportive nature of mud allows soles to sink a small distance into the mud. When the user goes to step forward, the interaction of the mud and sole of his footwear create a vacuum, which must be broken before the user may fully lift his foot. The present invention seeks to remedy this problem and aid in travel through such surfaces discussed above.

The inventor has performed a prior art search online and did not find any products on the market similar to the present invention. The inventor believes his invention is a new, useful and nonobvious improvement over the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a vacuum release device, which may be incorporated into footwear, either internal to the footwear or external to the footwear. The preferred embodiment of the present invention incorporates an air check valve at the top of a length of tubing, which interfaces with channels and holes throughout the sole of the footwear.

The configuration of the check valve, tube, channels and holes is such that there is little to no increased walking resistance when the user steps downward. However, when the user goes to lift his or her foot from the mud, the check valve opens, allowing air to flow through the tube and into the channels and through holes in the sole, thus breaking the vacuum and allowing the user to lift his or her foot with much less resistance than would be present without the use of the present invention.

The inventor believes his invention is a new and useful invention warranting patent protection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of the invention from the top of the footwear;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention from the side of the footwear;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a view of the air check valve, shown in the closed position;

FIG. 5 is a view of the air check valve, shown in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention calls for a duckbill-style air check valve 10 located at the top of a length of tubing 20 which allows air to travel through the check valve 10, through the tubing 20 into open air channels 30 and holes 34 located within the tread pattern on the sole 32 of the footwear. The preferred embodiment of the present invention calls for air holes 34 to connect the open air channels 30 to the tubing 20.

Alternative embodiments of the present invention allow the use of varying styles of air check valves 10, which would accomplish the same result as a duckbill-style air check valve 10.

Because there are so many different styles and designs of footwear, the exact length of the tubing 20 will vary depending on application of the present invention to a certain type of footwear. In addition, the interface between the tubing 20, air holes 34 and the open air channels 30 will vary depending on the tread pattern of any particular pair of footwear. It is the goal of the inventor of the present invention to apply it to as many different shapes and sizes of footwear as possible. Those skilled in the art will understand variations of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be necessary to adapt to any particular pair of footwear.

Referring now to the top view of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, there is shown the air check valve 10 located at the cuff 12 of a pair of boots. The preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1, calls for placement of the air check valve 10 internal to the cuff 12 at the top of the cuff 12. Alternative embodiments of the present invention allow for placement outside the cuff 12 of a pair of footwear and may be located anywhere on a pair of footwear that would not be submerged in mud and still accomplish the goals of the present invention. Additionally, alternative embodiments of the present invention allow for the entire device to be coupled externally to the footwear.

Referring now to the side view of the present invention as shown in FIG. 2, there is shown the air check valve 10 at the cuff 12 of a pair of boots. Extending from the air check valve 10 is a length of hollow tubing 20 that extends from the air check valve 10 to open air channels 30 located within the sole 32 of the footwear. When a user steps out of mud, a vacuum is created at the sole 32 of the footwear, passing through the holes 34, the open air channels 30, the tubing 20 and the air check valve 10. Upon reaching the air check valve 10, the vacuum causes it to open, thus releasing the vacuum and allowing the user to easily lift his or her foot from the mud.

Referring now to the bottom view of the present invention as shown in FIG. 3, there is shown a network of open air channels 30 throughout the sole 32 of the footwear. Also shown in FIG. 3 is the bottom portion of the tubing 20, which extends into the open air channels 30. The purpose of the open air channels 30 is to allow air to travel from the air check valve 10, through the tubing 20, through the sole 32 of the footwear, and finally through the holes 34 when a user lifts his foot from the mud. As explained above, the interaction of the air check valve 10, tubing 20, open air channels 30 and holes 34 is such that any vacuum created when a user lifts his foot is broken almost instantly, thus allowing for easy travel.

The main advantage of the present invention is, without limitation, ease of travel through muddy conditions with significantly less effort than without use of the present invention. Travel through mud with traditional footwear may quickly become exhausting for the user, due to the effort that must be exerted to break the vacuum created by the mud with each step. Use of the present invention essentially does away with the need to exert this effort and allows for much easier travel.

In broad embodiment, the present invention is a vacuum release for footwear, which releases the vacuum formed when the user goes to step out of muddy or otherwise viscous surfaces.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed. 

We claim:
 1. A vacuum release device for footwear, integrated within the footwear, said device comprising: a one-way air check valve, a length of hollow tubing having an upper opening and a lower portion, at least one hollow channel within the sole of the footwear, at least one hole passing through the sole of the footwear, linking the hollow channel to the area external to the sole.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the check valve is fluidly connected to the upper opening of the hollow tubing, wherein the lower portion of the hollow tubing is connected fluidly to at least one hollow channel within the sole of the footwear.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein there is a network of hollow channels within the sole of the footwear featuring holes placed intermittently throughout the network of hollow channels and extending through the sole of the footwear.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the air check valve is a duckbill valve.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the air check valve is an in-line check valve.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the air check valve is a diaphragm check valve.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the air check valve is a ball check valve.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the air check valve is a spring check valve.
 9. A vacuum release device for footwear, external to the footwear, said device comprising: a one-way air check valve, a length of hollow tubing having an upper opening and a lower portion, at least one hollow channel within the sole of the footwear, at least one hole passing through the sole of the footwear, linking the hollow channel to the area external to the sole, a method of attachment of the device to the external body of the footwear.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the check valve is fluidly connected to the upper opening of the hollow tubing, wherein the lower portion of the hollow tubing is connected fluidly to at least one hollow channel within the sole of the footwear.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein there is a network of hollow channels within the sole of the footwear featuring holes placed intermittently throughout the network of hollow channels and extending through the sole of the footwear
 12. The device of claim 9, wherein the air check valve is a duckbill valve.
 13. The device of claim 9, wherein the air check valve is an in-line check valve.
 14. The device of claim 9, wherein the air check valve is a diaphragm check valve.
 15. The device of claim 9, wherein the air check valve is a ball check valve.
 16. The device of claim 9, wherein the air check valve is a spring check valve. 